Wicomico Political Sign Pollution – And The Early Leaders Are ...

There's a reason for that: the Circuit Court position is the political plum of 2014 – a 15 year term at a starting salary of $144,908/year plus huge benefits and long vacation. And it certainly is political. In Maryland, a circuit court judge must stand for election after being appointed and may be challenged, a process the Democrats would like to scuttle.

A contested judicial election is something of a rarity and different from a typical race. The candidates are on the ballot for each party in the primary, and if one of them wins in both primary votes, then the race is essentially over. If each wins in one party’s vote, then the race continues until the general election.

The Circuit Court race, with the possible exception of that for County Executive, is the most important one this year, so we will be examining the candidates -- Spyros J. Sarbanes and Melvin J. Caldwell -- carefully in future posts. They are distinctly different – a Democrat (“Jimmy”) with limited trial experience but major league political connections and a Republican (“M. J.”) with much more extensive courtroom experience. Both were on the short list that was sent to O'Malley for his appointment, which went to the Democrat.

If you would like to share any personal experience that reflects on the qualification of either candidate to sit in judgment of others, please contact us.